Organizers of the 65th annual Rural Urban Dinner are requesting reservations for the upcoming gathering in Hagerstown.
Economy Lions Club will give the Good Friend and Neighbor Award during the banquet on Thursday, July 17, at Willie & Red’s, 40 E. Main, Hagerstown.
Reservations may be made through July 14 by calling the restaurant at 765-489-4131. Guests will pay $17.95 for their meal, gratuity and soft drink upon arrival at 6 p.m. Socializing occurs before the 6:30 p.m. program.
The gathering is intended to encourage good relationships between town and rural Wayne County residents. Anyone is invited to attend and watch someone be surprised for their efforts in improving the quality of life in northern Wayne County.
Last year, more than 80 people attended and congratulated winners Robin and Ed Nugent. They were recognized for their volunteer leadership of many community events plus their business and government accomplishments and philanthropy.
Former award winners meet each year to choose the next honoree.
Starting in the mid-1950s, Hagerstown Businessmen’s Club, which became Rotary Club, invited farmers to a dinner to connect with the rural community. Farmers then began reciprocating with a dinner for Rotarians.
In 1959, two Rotarians and a farmer received anonymous letters asking them to pick a farmer who portrayed a good friend and neighbor, and the winner would receive a prepaid trophy to be picked up in Rushville. They received letters for two more years with the same trophy arrangements.
After those letters stopped coming, local volunteers began planning the annual recognition program.
A version of this article appeared in the July 2 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.